Last week I blogged about the scary unknowns the Trump Presidency represents for nonprofits in Milwaukee. I asked some agency execs to join me in a conversation about that topic on December 14, at a session titled The Nonprofit Sector under a Trump Presidency.

About 17 agencies took part in the conversation. They ranged in size from under $100,000 in annual budget to several million. There were arts, social service, animal rights, and a professional association. Most were from Milwaukee, but two people came from Madison (thanks!).

The focus of the session changed somewhat when Marcus White came to speak. Although speaking for himself at this session, in his day job Marcus is Vice President for Civic Engagement at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. He shared things he had learned and heard at a conference held by Independent Sector last month. (Thanks to Marcus for coming so early in the morning and for helping the group move their thinking to a higher and more encompassing level!)

Setting the Context: What Are the Scary Unknowns?

We started by asking what was on the minds of the people in the room regarding the new administration. Mainly, people shared the scary unknown as it relates to the mission of their particular organization. People in animal rights were afraid of what this might mean to the safety of animals. People in ecological causes were afraid of cuts to EPA. A few other notes/questions included:

What might be the changes proposed to the tax code, and will that change the dynamic of donations to the sector? Some participants noted that there are reliable studies showing that donors are likely to continue giving even if the deductibility of that gift is reduced or removed. On the other hand, this may only be true of people who give smaller amounts; larger gifts are often driven by the desire for a deduction.

The explosion of bigotry.The conversation really ended in a call for the nonprofit sector to work on the dignity approach, not just for boys and men of color, where that approach is often the basis for plans to improve quality of life, but in all aspects of our work. We need to extend that approach of dignity to all of our clients and to each other within our organizations, setting the tone of respect.

What will fear do?​If we have the fear of the scary unknown, what will be the reaction of nonprofits? The impulse to crawl into our little holes, do our work as diligently as possible and not make any waves? Will we get even more territorial about our limited funds and refuse to work together to address the larger issues? Our only fear is of fear itself.

Some other questions rose that were unanswered — and very compelling:

Can we look at the power dynamic that we as service providers automatically have in place? What are the hoops we make people jump through? Do we need that?

Do we as a sector have a role in shaping the nation’s culture? Can we play a greater role going forward by setting a good example?

How do we affect the issue of fake news and the development of preconceived notions people have of the “other”?

If people become involved in something by invitation, how do we make sure we are reaching across the divide and inviting people to help us build what the nonprofit sector can do?

What's Next For Milwaukee Nonprofits

Everyone in the room was coming from their own viewpoint, their own world within the sector, and I’m sure took very different things from what we talked about. So what follows is my opinion.

The changes we see might involve the states having greater freedom to implement policies. For example, it might now be okay for states to require drug testing in order for people to receive food stamps or other such support. If that’s the case, then it is likely that people will not apply for that benefit, knowing they will fail the drug test. This, in turn, means there will be greater demand on food pantries and meal programs. So, it will behoove us to watch for what the Wisconsin legislature might want to do as states are given more control.

Whether or not our President-elect actually intended it, now people feel they can rip off the mask and be bigoted. There seems to be a flood of events and incidents demonstrating that people are feeling the freedom to be as ugly as they want with the “other.” That other may be a difference of religion or color of skin, or even political belief. If that’s true, then the nonprofit sector may have to move beyond being the social safety net, a role we’re pretty comfortable with. Now we’re potentially going to have to be more active and be the protector.

To that end, the third thing I see as a take-away from our meeting is that we’ve got to be the voice. Previous administrations have worked hard to protect and provide for those who are disadvantaged in some way. It is likely that we’re going to have to take that on, in our sector. So we’ve got to be the ones who go to legislators and to regional administrators of federal programs and tell the story of the people we serve. It’s going to be up to us to find ways to bridge the gaps between people by humanizing them through the stories we can tell because of the work that we do.

So what’s next? That’s going to be up to you. Let the fear of the scary unknown send you scurrying into a hole to work as diligently as possible? Or will you take the challenge and become the voice of the people and communities you serve in Milwaukee? I hope it’s the latter. And I hope you’ll let us know how we can help you. We have some ideas that we’ll be rolling out, but if you have a great idea for NPC, let me know by commenting here.

I attended the discussion on Wednesday. It saddened me to hear so many people believe the worst about the future of our country under a Trump administration.

I hope they are wrong; I want to believe our country and our citizens will be better in the future . . . not worse. For some the services from social welfare and public agencies may be reduced . . . but I also believe there are many taking advantage of the system today and the feeling of entitlement must not be rewarded.

I know that the trade association subgroup of the non/not-for-profit community does their share to support causes that benefits society. Just in bowling nationally, we have the Susan B. Komen (breast cancer), the Bowlers to Veterans Link - BVL (for American veterans) and many many local local causes that bowling associations and center owners support through bowl-a-thons and other special events.

Business owners/leaders and those of us who support them, are not evil and cold. We too are out trying to do good in our communities. But underlying our charitable spirit is one general principle . . . government cannot be all things for all people in need. And when you make financial support dependent on government assistance, you run the risk of fraud, mismanagement/waste and a higher tax burden on others (companies and families).

I really REALLY hope that things will get better for many in this country in the coming years. I was open to the possibilities when President Obama took office nearly eight years ago . . . and while things didn't work out quite the way we thought "Hope & Change" would play out . . . we survived it.

Let's give this President-elect a chance. Let's see what can be accomplished in the absence of a divided government. And if in four years, things have gotten worse, we will take action with our votes in 2020.

I did not attend the session and discussion, but it sounded like an extremely important topic. Additionally, I am not a grant-writer or non-profit executive so I cannot comment strongly on how I feel a new political administration will affect our nonprofit sector in Wisconsin.

However, strength is one of the uniting factors of any nonprofit. It is what links staff and volunteers with the community so they can change lives and bring hope to their cause.

The headline of Mr. Meikins article is actually inspiring me moving into 2017: "Make Nonprofits the Voice of Milwaukee"

This headline is how I feel we all can work together in 2017 regardless of personal differences of opinion. Nonprofits are the voice for those causes and individuals who might otherwise be voiceless.

We cannot forget that nonprofits have always brought together advocates, philanthropists, donors, staff, volunteers and event attendees from all different demographics. That has always been the very basic foundation of them...working together to help others.

We all have our causes that we support and that tug our heart strings. So lets continue together as one voice for that cause.

Working together always overcomes fear. Working together makes everyone bloom from a victim into a survivor.

Reply

Robert Meiksins

12/22/2016 01:02:19 pm

Thanks, Leanne. Keep telling the story of what we do - be loud and proud.

Robert Meiksins

12/22/2016 01:01:25 pm

Thank you for attending the event, Yvonne, and for your thoughtful response. I appreciate that you have some hope for things to improve in the future. I do disagree with your analysis of the past 8 years and believe that the steady growth of our economy, the sustainable drop in unemployment, and the strides towards equity made this a very strong administration and laid groundwork for any growth the next administration may be able to instigate.

As the Executive Director of a non-profit, I am very excited about the potential for greater opportunities across the board for non-profits under the Trump administration. The economic stagnation this country has endured under the current administration has not been good for the for-profit sector, the non-profit sector or the people we serve. Increased economic activity and the creation of new wealth by for-profits (vs.the redistribution of existing wealth) can create a resource-rich environment within which non-profits and the people we serve can flourish.

Reply

Robert Meiksins

12/22/2016 01:04:08 pm

Thank you, David, for your thoughtful response. I hope your enthusiasm and hope for the coming years proves true. As I said to Yvonne above, however, I do not see the past 8 year as economic stagnation but as slow, steady, and sustainable growth. Any successes and growth that come in the future will be built upon that strong foundation.